Round 2: Hobby One vs. Latins Strike Back

Toby Wachter

The brothers Ruel and Jeudon are best known as Black Ops, but changed their name to Hobby One, their new sponsor. This team has been around for quite some time now, and won a Grand Prix a few seasons ago. The Ruels went on to individual Pro Tour success, and teamed with Florent Jeudon they're an intimidating trio to see across the table. Their opponents are Latins Strike Back. Latin America made a huge impact at Worlds, with Carlos Romao taking the World Championship, and Diego Ostrovich coming in the Top 4. As their name suggests, this Latin team is looking to prove that Sydney wasn't a fluke. A strong follow-up finish this weekend would cement the region's reputation as a rising powerhouse within the Magic community.

Olivier mulliganed to five to start his match. Romao built up an impressive defense with Resilient Wanderer and Vigilant Sentry, and a mana screwed Olivier scooped very quickly to give the Latins their first game win.

Galimbertti's Chainflinger and Nantuko Blightcutter were certainly bad news for Jeudon's black/green deck. A lone Leaf Dancer was able to walk through Galimbertti's forests, and Muscle Burst took care of the Frenchman's Krosan Archer in combat. This left him with only the unblockable 2/2. However, Exoskeletal Armor increased the clock tremendously, and Galimbertti went into race mode. Some chump blocking by Jeudon provided enough time for the huge unblockable Dancer to come through for the win.

Once again, Olivier mulliganed down to five, but it was a bit better since Romao mulliganed to six playing first. Olivier put Arcane Teachings on Auramancer while Nomad Decoy kept the world champion in check. Still, Mystic Zealot and Compulsion kept Romao in the game. Just as things seemed to be headed in Romao's favor, Olivier tapped six mana and summoned Kamahl, Pit Fighter- a nightmare for a white/blue deck. The rest was practically academic, and Olivier and Romao were off to Game 3.

Once again, Antoine opened strong with Safekeeper, Werebear and Aquamoeba all out by turn three. Barbaro's draw was less than stellar, starting of with a fourth turn Cabal Torturer. Churning Eddy bounced it back to save Antoine some time, and Lost in Thought nullified what would have been a devastating Torturer. Barbaro's draw was poor and he was easily overwhelmed, giving Antoine the game win and Hobby One their first match.